Benitez in the dark as Liverpool and Spurs are locked in talks over Keane's return to White Hart Lane

Tottenham and Liverpool spent the eve of transfer deadline day locked in talks to take Robbie Keane back to White Hart Lane.

Spurs were thought to have made a bid of £10million to re-sign the striker, whom they sold to the Reds for £20.3million just six months earlier.

De-mob happy? Robbie Keane displayed a happy demeanour in the stands at Anfield as Liverpool beat Chelsea, here seen over club co-owner Tom Hicks' shoulder

Liverpool rejected the offer but were happy to continue talks on an improved bid following their 2-0 victory over Chelsea.

Speculation has been rife over the weekend that the 28-year-old would be about to end his Anfield misery, intensified when Keane was left out of the squad all together for the visit of Chelsea.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is keen to add another striker before the transfer deadline at 5pm on Monday, particularly since losing Jermain Defoe for several weeks with a foot injury.

Benitez would not put up too much resistance should Tottenham meet the club's valuation, but, when asked after defeat to Chelsea if Keane would remain beyond the deadline, he said: I think Robbie Keane will be here when the transfer window shuts.

'He was left out because we were considering all our good players and who we needed for this game. It was only a decision based on this match and our requirements.'

But Benitez appeared to be in the dark about the new talks with Tottenham. He said: 'I have not seen any new offers, I don't know whether the club have had any offers.

'I have spoken to Robbie, he was there in the dressing room beforehand, and we also spoke afterwards and we were just talking about the game.

'He was pleased because the team had won. He is part of my squad, I would expect him to be in my Champions League squad.

'Everything is if, if, if. He is here, he is our player. That's it.'

Other than Defoe, Pascal Chimbonda has returned to White Hart Lane in this transfer window, moving back from Sunderland about six months after leaving Tottenham.